Parents, students and staff of Guahan Academy Charter School asked the charter school council to renew the school's charter so it could work on accreditation.

The hearing was held for Guahan Academy's renewal application at the Guam Congress Building. Hundreds of the school's supporters held signs asking that the school be kept open.

Guahan Academy opened during school year 2013-2014. Guam law requires it to be accredited within five years, which is this school year. The Accrediting Commission for Schools’ Western Association of Schools and Colleges sent a letter on May 1, stating the school’s candidacy status for accreditation was withheld for non-compliance with standards.

Fe Valencia-Ovalles, Guahan Academy's board chairwoman, said the school still has three years to continue candidacy status despite the letter WASC sent. She said the timeline was off because Guahan Academy wasn't allowed enough time or money to fulfill requirements.

“We have so much planning that we have done. Absence monies and funding, how can you execute your planning?” Valencia-Ovalles asked.

According to the charter school’s attorney, Phillip Torres, the school filed an appeal to the decision. He said the accreditation body will appoint a three-member panel to visit Guam and ask additional questions.

Guam Academy Charter School Council member Cel Babauta said Public Law 30-176 which allowed for charter schools on Guam, is clear — charter schools have five years to achieve accreditation.

“Nobody is above the law,” Babauta said.

The deadline for the council to vote on Guahan Academy’s charter renewal application is June 15, based on the charter school law.

Parents worried

Janessa Corpuz said before her son attended Guahan Academy, he was assaulted, terrorized and harassed at his previous school. She said she drives 30-40 minutes to Guahan Academy and never worries about her son.

“I ask you to please, when you deliberate, please deliberate as a parent. Please think of our children and please, let’s unite,” Corpuz said.

Jenny Quichocho, the parent of a student with a learning disability, said she enrolled her child at Guahan Academy because she believes the charter school caters to her child's needs.